Playhouse Theatre Group, Inc. would like to thank everyone who helped make ENCORE such a success!
A net total of $100,000 was raised from this fantastic event.
Thank you to the incredible sponsors, volunteers, attendees, donors, and businesses who supported our auction. Sponsors include Richard & Lea Rubenstein, Hoffman Auto Group, Peoples Bank, Waypoint Wealth Solutions, Falcetti Pianos, Powerstation Events, The Society Room of Hartford, Ruth & Ron Van Winkle, and Trinity College. Underwriters include Jayne Dean & Gaetano Albani, Peter & Gene Evans, Busy Bee’s Virtual Assistance & Management, and HAS Insurance.
If you missed the event, you may still contribute in support of ENCORE! Tax-deductible donations may be made online HERE, over the phone at 860-523-5900 x10, or by mail to Playhouse on Park at 244 Park Rd. West Hartford, CT 06119.
Evening includes dinner, drinks, live/silent auctions, dancing with the Latanya Farrell Band, and live performances paying tribute to the work of John Kander including CHICAGO, CABARET, KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN, and more!
Tickets:
Young Professional - $150 | Patron - $200 | Benefactor - $300
Tables of Eight*
Patron - $1600 | Benefactor - $2400
*We can accommodate tables of 8-12 guests. If you need a larger table, please purchase additional tickets and contact Emma Mills at EMills@PlayhouseTheatreGroup.org or (860) 523-5900 ext. 15
6pm - 7:30pm: Open Bar
6pm - 7:30pm: Stationary & Butler Passed Hors d’oeuvres
Stationary: Charcuterie Board | Harvest Table | Mediterranean Bar
Passed: Avocado Shrimp Cocktail | Barbeque Meatloaf, Tomato Jam, Cowboy Onions | Brie Cheese & Fig Panini, Toasted Baguette
| Caprese Arancini, Basil Pesto | Vegan “Sausage” Stuffed Cremini Mushroom
8:00pm: Dinner Stations (cash bar)
Carved Station: Garlic & Herb Crusted Sirloin, Rosemary Demi | Grilled Chicken with Bacon Spinach Cream Sauce |
Grilled Atlantic Salmon with Chef's Selection of Seasonal Pairing | Seasonal Green Salad | Herb Roasted Potatoes |
Seasonal Vegetarian Pasta | Seasonal Roasted Vegetables | Hinged Rolls & Seasonal Butter
Paella Station: Grand Banks Chorizo (Naugatuck) | Local Clams & Mussels | Grilled Chicken |
Petite Shrimp | Mediterranean Salad | Saffron Rice with Asparagus, Roasted Tomatoes, Artichoke Hearts and Salsa Verde | Assorted Baguettes
9:00pm: Dessert
Locally Roasted Regular & Decaf Coffee and Assorted Herbal Teas
Flourless Chocolate Cake
10:30pm: Late Night Munchies in the Cottage
Truffle Parmesan Pommes Frites | Cinnamon Sugar Dusted Sweet Tots | Beer Battered Curly Fries
Crispy Onion Ring served with Cheddar Beer Fondue, Maple Crema, Ketchup, Chipotle Aioli
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Featured Artists |
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VEANNE COX is an actress who has worked on Broadway, off-Broadway, on TV and in films, on streaming series and podcasts and at leading regional theaters. She has been nominated for Tony and Emmy awards, and has received a Special Drama Desk award and an Obie award for Sustained Excellence. On Broadway she has been seen in the world premieres of An American in Paris, Tony Kushner’s CAROLINE, OR CHANGE, Neil Simon’s THE DINNER PARTY, John Guare’s A FREE MAN OF COLOR and the 1995 revival of Stephen Sondheim’s COMPANY. Off-Broadway she was in the world premieres of Craig Wright’s BLIND, Nicky Silver's THE ALTRUISTS, Chuck Mee’s PARADISE PARK, A.R. Gurney's LABOR DAY, among many other appearances, Horton Foote’s THE OLD FRIENDS, and in a concert staging of THE SOUND OF MUSIC at Carnegie Hall. Regional theater work includes the world premieres of B.D. Wong’s musical MR. HOLLAND'S OPUS at the Ogunquit Playhouse, and Ken Ludwig’s MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS at the McCarter Theatre, as well as THE MUSIC MAN at the Kennedy Center, Noel Coward’s PRIVATE LIVES at the Guthrie Theatre, THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST at La Jolla Playhouse, Moliere’s THE IMAGINARY INVALID at Yale Repertory Theatre, and several plays at the Shakespeare Theatre in Washington DC, including THE COMEDY OF ERRORS, TWELFTH NIGHT, THEMERRY WIVES OF WINDOSR, THE BEAUX' STRATAGEM and THE WAY OF THE WORLD. On television she has been seen on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Indoor Boys, Cady Did, New Amsterdam, NCIS New Orleans, Smash and many others, including Seinfeld and the1997 version of Cinderella. Film work includes Summoning Sylvia, Radium Girls, Hal Hartley’s Henry Fool, Erin Brockovich, and You’ve Got Mail. She appears on the cast albums of the Broadway productions of Company, Caroline, or Change, and An American in Paris. She was born and raised in Richmond, Virginia, studied ballet and danced with The Washington Ballet Company, and makes her home in New York City. |
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JAYKE WORKMAN is a non-binary performer based in New York City! A graduate of The Hartt School in Hartford, CT, Jayke has performed regionally all over the country, from Aspen, Colorado, to Cape Cod. Most recently they were seen as Mary Sunshine in Chicago The Musical on Broadway. When not onstage, Jayke works in the wig department for Saturday Night Live. |
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Guest Artists |
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THOMAS DOELGER A WeHa native, Thomas is excited to be here celebrating Playhouse on Park! International/National Tour Credits: A Chorus Line (Shanghai Premier). Regional Credits: The Little Mermaid, Sound of Music, Disney’s When You Wish (Tuacahn Center for the Arts), The Donkey Show (ART, dir. Diane Paulus), High Society (Winnipesaukee Playhouse), What Is This Place? (Kennedy Center, dir. Bill T Jones).
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Additional Artists |
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ALI FORMAN was just seen on stage in stop/time dance theater's stop TIME dance MACHINE - her 8th season with her stop/time family! When she’s not dancing, you can find her working at Intensive Education Academy in West Hartford as a speech-language pathologist, and being a mom to her two fur babies, Hardy and Millie! She is thankful for her family and friends for their constant love and support. A special thanks to Darlene for her years of guidance and for the incredible opportunity to live her passion for dance year after year. | |
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Regularly commissioned as a choral composer, Benjamin has written numerous works for ensembles including The First Church of Christ in Hartford - Center Church Choir, The St. Patrick – St. Anthony Gallery Choir, and The Hartt Singers. Benjamin is the founder and director of Benjamin Rauch Voice Studios where he teaches private voice, and the Artistic Director of Vocal Intensive Program (VIP), a ten-day summer festival for singers. Also at home in musical theater, Benjamin has served as music director for over 20 productions throughout the northeast. His first collaboration with Playhouse On Park was as music director for the filmed production of ALL IS CALM in 2020. Benjamin has taught at The Hartt School for the last 15 years. Outside of Hartt, he teaches his own Ear Training for Singers course #raucheartraining, which makes musicianship training available to those who would otherwise not have access to this kind of education. @benjaminrauch |
Latanya is an ordinary woman with an ordinary life who brings an extraordinary voice to the music scene during live performances and on her debut album “Feelin’ Alright”. Uplifting melodies and powerful vocals are the hallmark of her songs about life, love and happiness. Latanya Farrell has emerged as a band leader full of energy who is uniquely gifted at engaging audiences with her bright smile and impeccable style. Blending Latanya’s original music with popular cover tunes, she performs to packed houses throughout New England. Her presence is infectious, and the energy keeps flowing throughout the entire performance with music that ranges from soulful classics to urban contemporary to her inspiring originals.
Extraordinary Voice
Latanya's powerful performances are packed with people both far and near who come to hear her incredible vocals. Dubbed the “Queen of Summer Concerts” by the Hartford Courant in 2013, Latanya Farrell is a multitalented gifted singer, songwriter, and performer with genuine passion, energy, and a love for music and life.
Since winning Connecticut Star Search in 2003, Latanya has had leading musical roles which include performing “Songs in the Key of Life” at the Bushnell Theater as well as other large venues sharing the stage with amazing artists such as Wynton Marsalis and Air Supply.
Latanya has been featured on several albums including her longtime friend and world-renowned saxophonist Jimmy Greene’s Grammy Award nominated album, “A Beautiful Life”, which was dedicated to Jimmy and Nelba Márquez-Greene’s beautiful precious daughter, Ana Grace, who was tragically lost at Sandy Hook Elementary School.
Energetic Performer
Latanya's award-winning vocal talent and style have been influenced by Whitney Houston, Natalie Cole, Alicia Keys, Aretha Franklin, Mariah Carey, and Jill Scott. With performance roots in her family church and community events, her career took off shortly after she was named Champion of the 2003 Connecticut Star Search competition.
Listen to Latanya and get excited to dance at Encore!
You're invited to donate to our auction. Click to open invitation.